Last night’s Forest Row Film Society screening of Son of Man drew a packed house of over 120 people. Introduced by Flora Smith who, with Mark Dornford-May, worked heavily on the original theatre production on which the film was based, the audience were treated to the remarkable story of the project and the creation of the film.

Flora Smith introduces Son of Man

Cast entirely using non-professional actors and singers from a South African township, the original theatre company created powerful and at times controversial Xhosa versions of Carmen and the Chester mystery plays. These were performed not only in South Africa, but also in London and on a subsequent world tour to great acclaim.

The Carmen production was filmed first (released as U-Carmen eKhayelitsha) and the mystery plays rewritten and released as Son of Man in 2006 utilising some of the words of Steve Biko in Jesus’ sermons and speeches.

The audience responded very positively to the film, talking afterwards of the current resonances with events in Congo, and also in the context of the US election results. We look forward to screening U-Carmen eKhayelitsha next year.